Thursday, 23 April 2009 02:47

Getting to LucbanTraveling to Lucban is an exhilarating experience. One will sense the excitement and beauty of Lucbanthe instant he enters it. At a glance, one will be captivated by its magnificent view for the town nestles on the slope of the greenish blue, towering and conical mountain - Mount Banahaw. To help you plan your trip to Lucban, Pahiyas.com provides a Location Map where Lucban is located. Buses and jeeps are plenty and you can check the Transportation page for a list of bus and jeepney terminals and schedules of trips.By CarTake the South Luzon Superhighway and exit in any of the following routes:•Exit 52a (Lucena, Legazpi, Batangas exit)Towns to pass:Sto. Tomas Junction - Alaminos - San Pablo - Tiaong - Candelaria - Sariaya -Lucena City - Tayabas - LUCBANTravel time : Approximately 3-4 hours•Exit 52b (Calamba, Los Baños, Pagsanjan exit)Towns to pass:Calamba - Los Baños (College) - Bay - Pila - Sta. Cruz - PagsanjanCavinti - Luisiana - LUCBANTravel time : Approximately 2-3 hours

By Bus/public transportationRegular commercial buses ply the three-hour Manila-Lucena route passing Tiaong, Candelaria and Sariaya or the Manila-Calamba-Los Baños-Sta. Cruz route. Whether you are In Lucena City or Sta. Cruz, Laguna, there are jeepneys and mini buses to that will take you Lucban and other neighboring towns and outlying municipalities.Bus terminals are located along EDSA-Kamuning in Quezon City, Araneta Center in Cubao, Buendia-Taft Avenues and EDSA in Pasay City.Go to the Transportation page to check the location of terminals and fares.

Photo taken by Mr. Nobuhiko Hashimoto, photographer of The Daily Manila Shimbun based in the Philippines.

Brief History of Lucban

The year 1578 marked the foundation of the town of Lucban. During that year, two Spanish priests named Juan de Plasencia and Diego de Iropesa commenced the propagation of Christianity in the municipality converting 1,600 inhabitants into Christians.

Legend has it that the town derived its name from Lucban (pomelo tree). Three hunters from Majayjay, Laguna namely: Marcos Tigla, Luis Gumba and Lucas Nañawa came upon a plain at the northeast foot of Mt. Banahaw after they lost their way following the trail of some wild animals. While resting under a tree, they saw a black bird name "uwak" (crow) up in the tree top. Believing this to be a bad omen, they immediately transferred to another place and rested once more. This time, under a shade of the leafy pomelo tree or Lucban tree, the trio were attracted by a couple of "salaksak" (kingfishers) singing at the top of the tree. Fascinated by the rhythmic chirps of the multi-colored birds, the three hunters took the incident as a sign of good fortune, and decided finally to settle in the place naming it LUCBAN.

The people of Lucban accepted the story as true. Marcos Tigla was the first gobernadorcillo of the town in the year 1596. Lucas Nañawa later took over the responsibility for four years.

Apolinario dela Cruz (1815-1841), a national hero who is more popularly known as HERMANO PULE and founder of the Cofradia de San Jose was born in Sitio Pandak, Barangay Nalunao, this municipality.

Source: Office of the Municipal Planning & Development Coordinator, Lucban, Quezon

Tourists SpotsMT. BANAHAWOnce an active volcano, the majestic conical " Mountain of Rain " towers at 7,382 feet above sea level. Its last recorded eruption took place in 1730 when steam, lava and red-hot rocks came out from its 700 foot -deep crater. From the mid-slope of the mountain, springs of crystal clear, cool water flows down the town proper of Lucbanand outlying municipalities including the Laguna Lake..

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHA fine blending of Baroque and Castillian architecture, it measures 180 feet long and 38 feet wide and is located at the center of the town. A beautiful grotto of the Virgin Mary, an architecturally designed presentation of the Ten Commandments and the Sanctuary of the Blessed Sacrament can be found on its side. The church ground, with a gazebo, a beautifully landscaped garden and basketball court, complete with concrete benches and stage, is surrounded by curvaceous wall called "kinse-kinse."

MARCOS TIGLA PARKNamed after one of the founders and first gobernadorcillo, this large town place is adorned by monuments, fountains, a bandstand and home to a variety of flowers and trees. One of its oldest monuments is the "First Cry of Balintawak" commemorating the beginning of the Philippine Revolution against Spain . A time capsule was buried there in 1978 to commemorate the 400th founding anniversary of the town. It contains the town's relics of the time.

The "Goddess of the Sea" fountain, where a mermaid and a fairy grace the park. Since its construction in 1924, her playing waters has never failed to attract the young generations.At the center of the plaza is a concrete bandstand called "Kiosko." Its pillars were designed like trunks of trees. Here is where political rallies, concerts and cultural programs are held. Another attractive fountain is the "Fountain of Wisdom", depicted by a stooping mother pouring a large jar of water into a glass held by a boy. This signifies a mother giving life support and first education to her child.At the far end of the park is a monument of Andres Bonifacio .

RIZAL PARKKnown as "Plaza de la Revolucion" during the early period, it is located in front of the Lucban Municipal Building and its centerpiece is the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal . Considered one of the best designed monument in the archipelago, it was conceive and designed by the late Ismael Villaseñor who had won honors not only in the Philippines but also in the International Exposition in Paris during that time. Wide concrete benches afford comfortable seats and concrete posts illuminate the park.

KALBARYO HILLLocated at the outskirt of Lucban, it is reached by climbing long, concrete steps winding up the hill. A small pavilion, shading an iron cross can be seen from below. Every May 3 of each year, a procession known as "Pag-akyat saKalbaryo", where a large wooden cross is carried and ended up in the hill. From the hilltop, one can see the beautiful sight of the town with the Mt. Banahaw in the background.

SITIO PANDAKIn honor of Apolinario dela Cruz, a national hero and is popularly known as Hermano Pule, a monument was erected in his honor here in Sitio Pandak, where he was born.

THE LEGEND OF LUCBANLocated in a road junction leading to the towns of Samploc and Luisiana, a monument of the three founders of Lucban can be seen. The monument illustrates how Luis Gumba, Lucas Mañawa and Marcos Tigla rested in a pomelotree (or Lucban) where a colorful kingfisher was chirping, signifying a good fortune. The trio then decided to settle and named the place Lucban.

KAMAY NI HESUS HEALING CHURCHA haven for spiritually weak, one could feel and experience the presence of God at the Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church . Located on a steep hill seen from afar is a 50-foot statue of the Ascending Christ - the third biggest in the world. Transformed into a picturesque Via Dolorasa Grotto of Healing and Purification, one has to climb all of 292 steps to reach the top passing along life-size statues of the 14 Stations of the Cross.

Tuesday, 21 May 2013 10:37

Pahiyas Festival 2013 by Nobuhiko HashimotoMr. 橋本信彦 Nobuhiko Hashimoto is a photographer of The Daily Manila Shimbun based in the

Philippines. He enjoyed the Pahiyas Festival, already in his second time to visit Lucban and is

one of the satisfied participants in our Pahiyas Day Tour 2013. He is sharing his excitement and

enjoyment of the Pahiyas through his photos.

Friday, 06 April 2012 22:29

Grand Prize for Timpalak Pahiyas is now Php100,000

Good news to the people of Lucban specially to those who will participate and compete in this year's Timpalak Pahiyas, the yearly competition for the best Pahiyas-decorated house. Owners of a well-known restaurant is giving away twice as much as what the Pahiyas Organizing Committee is giving for the grand prize - a whooping P100,000.

Decorating houses with Pahiyas decoration such as kiping, fruits and vegetables and other ornaments cost house owners a fortune but the prizes given by the Lucban Municipal Government, the coordinating agency for the Pahiyas do not even add up to half of the decorating expenses. For the past years, many participants are becoming tired and displeased by the lack of financial gains from the Lucban Municipal Government, headed by Mayor Moises "Bonbon" Villasenor, who runs the Pahiyas and collects millions of pesos from sponsors. The biggest prize awarded so far for the best decorated Pahiyas is Php 50,000.

With renewed efforts by some generous Lucbanins to spruce up the Pahiyas, this year's PahiyasFestival may soon become one of the grandest Pahiyas Festival ever in its almost 50 years of celebration as a tourist attraction.

No doubt it is more fun in the Philippines particularly in Lucban.